New Delhi: Sporadic violence by militants and naxalites left two security personnel dead and several injured, marring the first phase of Lok Sabha elections covering 140 constituencies in 13 States and three Union Territories which witnessed moderate to brisk polling.

Reports of violence have come from Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Mizoram and Bihar.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

In Jammu and Kashmir, where polling was being held for two of the six parliamentary seats, two security persons were killed and several injured when militants attacked 12 polling stations hurling grenades and opening fire in Baramulla constituency.

Four para military personnel were injured in a landmine blast in Bastar in Chhattisgarh where naxalites looted four electronic voting machines from an equal number of polling stations leading to suspension of voting.

Naxals also exchanged fire with security personnel at 14 places in the hypersensitive region of the State where elections are being held for all 11 seats.

One person was injured in Bihar, where shoot-at sight order has been issued against booth grabbers, in a bomb explosion in Barh constituency from where Union Minister Nitish Kumar is in fray. There were reports of gunmen opening fire at four polling stations in Patna constituency.

In Jharkhand MCC ultras drove away polling officials in three booths while a militant was killed in an encounter with police in Chatra.